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Between the Lines: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 16 Feb 27A steamy and emotionally resonant sapphic academic romance, from bestselling self-published author Haley Cass, where slow-burn chemistry, witty banter, and emotional vulnerability collide as two lonely professors find connection, healing, and love in unexpected places.
When Alyssa Burke relocates to a small upstate New York college for a desperately desired faculty position, she expects uncertainty, but not to be dumped before her first day even begins. Newly single, far from home, and determined to prove she belongs in the ivory tower, Alyssa throws herself into her new life.
Enter Whitney: brilliant, intimidating, impeccably composed...and newly divorced. A senior faculty member with a reputation as sharp as her wit, Whitney is everything Alyssa should avoid. But an unexpected encounter on a lonely winter night sparks a connection that neither of them can ignore.
What follows is a delicious slow-burn workplace romance, unfolding between stolen glances in hallways, whispered conversations, and the unspoken rules of academic life. As desire deepens and boundaries blur, both women must confront what they’re willing to risk for their reputations, for honesty, and for one another.
When Alyssa Burke relocates to a small upstate New York college for a desperately desired faculty position, she expects uncertainty, but not to be dumped before her first day even begins. Newly single, far from home, and determined to prove she belongs in the ivory tower, Alyssa throws herself into her new life.
Enter Whitney: brilliant, intimidating, impeccably composed...and newly divorced. A senior faculty member with a reputation as sharp as her wit, Whitney is everything Alyssa should avoid. But an unexpected encounter on a lonely winter night sparks a connection that neither of them can ignore.
What follows is a delicious slow-burn workplace romance, unfolding between stolen glances in hallways, whispered conversations, and the unspoken rules of academic life. As desire deepens and boundaries blur, both women must confront what they’re willing to risk for their reputations, for honesty, and for one another.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 16, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
August 9, 2026
thank you to netgalley for this arc!!
this was super sweet! surprisingly, even though i am a huge sapphic romance fan, this was my first haley cass book. it has definitely made me super excited to get to the rest of her backlist!
i adored the characters, the setting, and the romance in this one. it felt incredibly realistic to me, which is what i think made me enjoy it so much. i felt incredibly attached to the characters and i was rooting for them the entire time. i will say, my only real criticism of this book was the length - i most certainly do not mind a long book, as long as the pages are warranted. in this case, i feel like there were a lot of instances of talking in circles, which i feel could have been cut down in order to make the book a tad more concise. otherwise, really enjoyed this!
this was super sweet! surprisingly, even though i am a huge sapphic romance fan, this was my first haley cass book. it has definitely made me super excited to get to the rest of her backlist!
i adored the characters, the setting, and the romance in this one. it felt incredibly realistic to me, which is what i think made me enjoy it so much. i felt incredibly attached to the characters and i was rooting for them the entire time. i will say, my only real criticism of this book was the length - i most certainly do not mind a long book, as long as the pages are warranted. in this case, i feel like there were a lot of instances of talking in circles, which i feel could have been cut down in order to make the book a tad more concise. otherwise, really enjoyed this!
September 9, 2026
There’s major cozy Hallmark movie vibes in this one with two broken hearted professors meeting on Christmas Eve. The chemistry between Alyssa and Whitney is strong from the start. I loved that both characters are strong, independent women, and I enjoyed watching Alyssa slowly crack through Whitney's grumpy black cat exterior.
This relationship is really the only thing driving the story. They were just slowly gravitating around each other the whole time. The rest of the plot felt like background noise. We don't dive into the emotional weight of their past breakups until late in the book, and the side characters fell pretty flat. There was potential for deeper, more emotional subplots that were never quite fleshed out. I prefer a more balanced plot to character ratio, so this left me wanting a lot more.
If you're looking for a low angst, light, fully main character driven story you may enjoy this one, but that personally isn’t my case. There wasn’t anything horribly wrong with the writing. If you need emotional depth and a plot, you may feel underwhelmed.
This relationship is really the only thing driving the story. They were just slowly gravitating around each other the whole time. The rest of the plot felt like background noise. We don't dive into the emotional weight of their past breakups until late in the book, and the side characters fell pretty flat. There was potential for deeper, more emotional subplots that were never quite fleshed out. I prefer a more balanced plot to character ratio, so this left me wanting a lot more.
If you're looking for a low angst, light, fully main character driven story you may enjoy this one, but that personally isn’t my case. There wasn’t anything horribly wrong with the writing. If you need emotional depth and a plot, you may feel underwhelmed.
August 14, 2026
I’m not even surprised anymore when a Haley Cass book is good, because they ALWAYS are. I continue to think her good book streak is going to end (simply because it’s been so many) but then she puts out another banger.
I loved the dynamic between Ice Queen Whitney and ray of sunshine Alyssa (whose real name is ironically Sunshine). There was an age gap of about 8 years between the two, but it was so well written that the pair were evenly matched.
Truly I thought there would be a dominance struggle at first based on how Whitney was, but I was pleasantly surprised at the fact that Alyssa gave off dominant vibes right back.
The two MCs were meant for each other, because although Whitney came off as harsh and untouchable Alyssa saw through all the walls and the lies and took the way Whitney acted for at least the first half of the book with a grain of salt (something I personally could not do because I’m WAY too sensitive).
Whitney took the cake on growth, easily. To be honest she was my favorite character, she was such a badass and even though she dealt with a narcissist (something I am unfortunately familiar with) I understood Whitney’s pains even more. Alyssa was such a supportive main character, there was no way the two wouldn’t work well together.
The communication skill from Whitney lacked for about 80% which I thought would’ve left me frustrated, but it was so tactfully wrote it was hard to be upset.
I felt the love between Whitney and Alyssa deep within me and it just felt so raw and real. I find it hard to find a book that can hit it perfectly.
Like any other Haley Cass book, I didn’t want this one to end. I can never get enough of her characters, and dreaded finishing this one because I knew I didn’t have any more of her books to read.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!
I loved the dynamic between Ice Queen Whitney and ray of sunshine Alyssa (whose real name is ironically Sunshine). There was an age gap of about 8 years between the two, but it was so well written that the pair were evenly matched.
Truly I thought there would be a dominance struggle at first based on how Whitney was, but I was pleasantly surprised at the fact that Alyssa gave off dominant vibes right back.
The two MCs were meant for each other, because although Whitney came off as harsh and untouchable Alyssa saw through all the walls and the lies and took the way Whitney acted for at least the first half of the book with a grain of salt (something I personally could not do because I’m WAY too sensitive).
Whitney took the cake on growth, easily. To be honest she was my favorite character, she was such a badass and even though she dealt with a narcissist (something I am unfortunately familiar with) I understood Whitney’s pains even more. Alyssa was such a supportive main character, there was no way the two wouldn’t work well together.
The communication skill from Whitney lacked for about 80% which I thought would’ve left me frustrated, but it was so tactfully wrote it was hard to be upset.
I felt the love between Whitney and Alyssa deep within me and it just felt so raw and real. I find it hard to find a book that can hit it perfectly.
Like any other Haley Cass book, I didn’t want this one to end. I can never get enough of her characters, and dreaded finishing this one because I knew I didn’t have any more of her books to read.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay, let me just put this out there (consider this your TD;LR): I’ve read every Haley Cass book she’s published, and I think this is her best book. And for me to say this about an age gap romance (8 years)—Cass’ first—is all the proof you need from me if you’ve followed my reviews.
Between the Lines has all the hallmarks of a Haley Cass novel: memorable side characters, fun and smart and flirty banter, sizzling sex scenes, and most importantly romance—one that develops organically and (relatively) slowly given the tight timeline of this novel (a university semester). And then there’s the area Cass most excels at: developing charming and irresistible main characters. Alyssa’s goodness and self-deprecating humour make her impossible not to root for. And Whitney as the misunderstood ice queen will become a big fan favorite, maybe even rivalling Charlotte Thompson.
Now for the elephant in the review… If you’ve read pretty much any of my previous reviews of Haley Cass’ books, you know my biggest issue with her books is the [seemingly] lack of an editor. So when I found out she had signed a deal with a Big Six Publisher, I was excited to see what a Haley Cass novel would look like with a professional editor. This is an ARC copy, so it’s not perfect (and there may still be some changes/adjustments before its official publication), but I noticed a big improvement in this area. It was enough that I was able to sit in the story and not be distracted by this issue.
Between the Lines is a long book for contemporary romance at 450+ pages, which may put off some readers. And while there was one moment towards the end that lagged and there were probably some moments that could have been cut out, I enjoyed every moment I spent with this book.
4.5 stars
Thank you, Atria and Netgalley, for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Between the Lines has all the hallmarks of a Haley Cass novel: memorable side characters, fun and smart and flirty banter, sizzling sex scenes, and most importantly romance—one that develops organically and (relatively) slowly given the tight timeline of this novel (a university semester). And then there’s the area Cass most excels at: developing charming and irresistible main characters. Alyssa’s goodness and self-deprecating humour make her impossible not to root for. And Whitney as the misunderstood ice queen will become a big fan favorite, maybe even rivalling Charlotte Thompson.
Now for the elephant in the review… If you’ve read pretty much any of my previous reviews of Haley Cass’ books, you know my biggest issue with her books is the [seemingly] lack of an editor. So when I found out she had signed a deal with a Big Six Publisher, I was excited to see what a Haley Cass novel would look like with a professional editor. This is an ARC copy, so it’s not perfect (and there may still be some changes/adjustments before its official publication), but I noticed a big improvement in this area. It was enough that I was able to sit in the story and not be distracted by this issue.
Between the Lines is a long book for contemporary romance at 450+ pages, which may put off some readers. And while there was one moment towards the end that lagged and there were probably some moments that could have been cut out, I enjoyed every moment I spent with this book.
4.5 stars
Thank you, Atria and Netgalley, for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m very new to the world of advance reviews, and when I saw yesterday that my request to review the newest novel from Our Lady of Perpetual Yearning, Haley Cass, had been approved, I almost passed out. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to provide an honest review of what I correctly assumed would be an outstanding book. Like any good sapphic bookworm, I have read everything in the Haley Cass catalog, and Between the Lines ranks right up there with my favorites.
The spice: The spice in this book is, on a scale of 1 to 10, a 52. Mrs. Cass. Dude. Ma’am. Sir. Respectfully, are you trying to kill us all.
The tension: The tension is so thick you could - okay I was going to say you could cut it with a knife, but actually, I don’t think you could cut it with a knife without the knife breaking clean off from the handle. It’s that thick.
The yearning: This is a Haley Cass novel; of course the yearning is off the charts. Asking “is there yearning in this Haley Cass book” is like asking “does this cookbook have recipes in it.” Yes. Yes, it does.
Alyssa: Alyssa is a breath of fresh air, so very different from any other HC character. She’s communicative, she’s bold, she’s assertive, she says exactly what’s on her mind roughly 99.9% of the time, and the 0.1% of the time she doesn’t, it’s just because Whitney told her not to and she’s clearly struggling with it. She’s also really fucking funny. And a huge dork, but she completely owns it. I love her.
Whitney: When I tell you this book had me ready to get into a fistfight with a nonexistent man to defend the honor of a nonexistent woman, I am exaggerating but only slightly. Get in sapphics we are about to PULL UP.
Whitney is strong, but she’s tired, poor baby, and she’s been holding herself up virtually alone for so long that she doesn’t even realize how tired she is, until Alyssa arrives and becomes her respite. This is, incidentally, lesbian catnip, and I am at this moment an extremely high housecat passed out on the floor.
The pairing: Without spoiling anything, the main characters are so unlike anyone else in the Haley Cass Literary Universe that some of the relationship trajectories we've seen in her previous novels simply wouldn't make sense for these two. (I desperately want to explain what I mean by that, but I refuse to be the ding dong who spoils an unreleased book.) Suffice it to say that HC knows exactly who these women are, and she lets their personalities shape their story rather than forcing them into familiar patterns. And their story is consequently fresh, and unique, and it works very well.
Alyssa has also been through it recently, in a different way from Whitney, and Whitney is grounding for her. Both of them become necessary to the other in ways neither knew she needed (more catnip). Their personalities are utterly complementary. They feel inevitable from the jump, and it’s so much fun watching them figure it out.
The writing: I enjoy a good HC novel because (insert Stefon from Weekend Update voice here) they have everything: humor, yearning, spice, growth, emotion, and, obviously, women who are down bad for each other. Between the Lines, however, is in my humble yet objectively correct opinion Haley Cass’s funniest work to date. I laughed out loud at least a dozen times, and as someone who frequently texts “lol” to people when I’m actually just vaguely smiling and not actually lol-ing, this is extremely high praise.
In conclusion: shocker, Haley Cass has written another outstanding novel, water is wet, sky is blue, read this book, you will not be disappointed.
The spice: The spice in this book is, on a scale of 1 to 10, a 52. Mrs. Cass. Dude. Ma’am. Sir. Respectfully, are you trying to kill us all.
The tension: The tension is so thick you could - okay I was going to say you could cut it with a knife, but actually, I don’t think you could cut it with a knife without the knife breaking clean off from the handle. It’s that thick.
The yearning: This is a Haley Cass novel; of course the yearning is off the charts. Asking “is there yearning in this Haley Cass book” is like asking “does this cookbook have recipes in it.” Yes. Yes, it does.
Alyssa: Alyssa is a breath of fresh air, so very different from any other HC character. She’s communicative, she’s bold, she’s assertive, she says exactly what’s on her mind roughly 99.9% of the time, and the 0.1% of the time she doesn’t, it’s just because Whitney told her not to and she’s clearly struggling with it. She’s also really fucking funny. And a huge dork, but she completely owns it. I love her.
Whitney: When I tell you this book had me ready to get into a fistfight with a nonexistent man to defend the honor of a nonexistent woman, I am exaggerating but only slightly. Get in sapphics we are about to PULL UP.
Whitney is strong, but she’s tired, poor baby, and she’s been holding herself up virtually alone for so long that she doesn’t even realize how tired she is, until Alyssa arrives and becomes her respite. This is, incidentally, lesbian catnip, and I am at this moment an extremely high housecat passed out on the floor.
The pairing: Without spoiling anything, the main characters are so unlike anyone else in the Haley Cass Literary Universe that some of the relationship trajectories we've seen in her previous novels simply wouldn't make sense for these two. (I desperately want to explain what I mean by that, but I refuse to be the ding dong who spoils an unreleased book.) Suffice it to say that HC knows exactly who these women are, and she lets their personalities shape their story rather than forcing them into familiar patterns. And their story is consequently fresh, and unique, and it works very well.
Alyssa has also been through it recently, in a different way from Whitney, and Whitney is grounding for her. Both of them become necessary to the other in ways neither knew she needed (more catnip). Their personalities are utterly complementary. They feel inevitable from the jump, and it’s so much fun watching them figure it out.
The writing: I enjoy a good HC novel because (insert Stefon from Weekend Update voice here) they have everything: humor, yearning, spice, growth, emotion, and, obviously, women who are down bad for each other. Between the Lines, however, is in my humble yet objectively correct opinion Haley Cass’s funniest work to date. I laughed out loud at least a dozen times, and as someone who frequently texts “lol” to people when I’m actually just vaguely smiling and not actually lol-ing, this is extremely high praise.
In conclusion: shocker, Haley Cass has written another outstanding novel, water is wet, sky is blue, read this book, you will not be disappointed.
August 18, 2026
this *shouldve* been perfect but i’m tired of the ice queen-esque archetype in every haley cass book 🫠 like yes these two felt like real people and sure they were fine for each other but i never felt co pellets to see them together or care about their happy ending. the academia setting was the most interesting part to me as well as their respective breakups; i wish those had been fleshed out more seeing as those were the catalyst for whitney and alyssa getting together but it was almost wrapped up TOO neatly for how that would actually pan out in the real world??
overall i did enjoy it. i flew through it for being 500+ pages and the steam was steaming. bless the 2026 sapphic writers for more strap scenes in contemporary romance lately 🕺🏻🕺🏻
overall i did enjoy it. i flew through it for being 500+ pages and the steam was steaming. bless the 2026 sapphic writers for more strap scenes in contemporary romance lately 🕺🏻🕺🏻
July 28, 2026
Haley Cass has the best interiority which leads to robust characters, as is the case here. Alyssa is Sunshine! It’s not just her name, it’s her personality over and over again- a joy to read. And then there’s Whitney. Private, raw, tender-hearted Whitney who’s had such a rough go and has so much to offer. (And her bff Claire, love!). Reading them was healing. I also liked the way Cass handled the workplace environment and Whitney’s former relationship and Alyssa’s brother- all deftly done. The only thing keeping this at 4 stars is the length- while of course I don’t mind reading more, I think some of it could be edited down, and I thought the opening banter could have been tighter. BUT don’t let that stop you because the romance is so worth it. Also, I’m very excited to see Haley Cass in bookstores, yay!
Short summary: After striving for years for a teaching position, Alyssa finally scores an interim professorship. She won’t let anything stand in the way of pursuing her dream, not even an unexpected connection with one of her colleagues. A colleague everyone else seems to steer clear of….
Thank you to Atria and Netgalley. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Short summary: After striving for years for a teaching position, Alyssa finally scores an interim professorship. She won’t let anything stand in the way of pursuing her dream, not even an unexpected connection with one of her colleagues. A colleague everyone else seems to steer clear of….
Thank you to Atria and Netgalley. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
October 4, 2026
As a person who spent an excessive amount of time in graduate school, I mostly avoid novels about academia (though I’m willing to read a good campus novel, which somehow isn’t necessarily the same thing). In my experience, novels about academia are either written by academics, in which case they pose one set of annoyances, or not, in which case they pose a different set of annoyances.
Obviously, I was going to make an exception for a new Haley Cass novel. No question there. Obviously, I liked it. Not much question there, either. Nobody else does it quite like Haley Cass, and Between the Lines has plenty of that obscure Haley Cass magic—the thing where a novel that’s kind of unremarkable somehow becomes transcendently beautiful; that thing where a bunch of opposites-attract tropes thrown in a blender suddenly become as real as an old friend; that Haley-Cass-novel thing where a sex scene that uses the word “heat” 10,000 times and insists on “core” as a euphemism (apples have cores, people have pussies, sorry-not-sorry)—is somehow sexy and joyful and heartbreaking all at once. And if none of the sex scenes here quite conjured up the ineffable magic of, say, the phone-sex scene in The Snowball Effect, well, that’s not exactly a fair bar, now is it?
I’ve written about the puzzle of Haley Cass at length on my blog, so I’ll try not to belabor the point here.
What I will say is that Between the Lines definitely reminded me why I avoid academic romance. I found more than one plot point simply not believable, starting with a new hire showing up and not recognizing the only other professor in her department in her subfield, and extending to a whole bunch of hullabaloo about who gets to be chair that isn’t technically impossible but just didn’t feel like how any of that would go. That said, I can’t help but imagine that a city manager might feel similarly about In the Long Run, a divorce lawyer about When You Least Expect it, or a TV Journalist about On the Same Page. I loved all those novels, and any imprecision about professional trajectories was no skin off my back, there.
What I’ll also say is that Haley Cass has become my ultimate comfort read for a reason. Her novels are just so lovely, so alive—even when they’re contrived, even when there’s a straight-man villain so dastardly he might as well be twirling a waxed mustache while he drowns kittens, even, even, even—who cares!
I thought Cass’s last novel, The Whole Truth, was one of her best, and if you’re new round these parts, I might recommend starting there. Then again, I’m not sure I’m a fair judge of Between the Lines, which isn’t just about academia, but about the academic job market no less. If I’d wanted to shiver I’d have read a horror novel. Still, I didn’t exactly have to force myself to finish it. What can I say, Haley Cass is just special—and so is Between the Lines.
Obviously, I was going to make an exception for a new Haley Cass novel. No question there. Obviously, I liked it. Not much question there, either. Nobody else does it quite like Haley Cass, and Between the Lines has plenty of that obscure Haley Cass magic—the thing where a novel that’s kind of unremarkable somehow becomes transcendently beautiful; that thing where a bunch of opposites-attract tropes thrown in a blender suddenly become as real as an old friend; that Haley-Cass-novel thing where a sex scene that uses the word “heat” 10,000 times and insists on “core” as a euphemism (apples have cores, people have pussies, sorry-not-sorry)—is somehow sexy and joyful and heartbreaking all at once. And if none of the sex scenes here quite conjured up the ineffable magic of, say, the phone-sex scene in The Snowball Effect, well, that’s not exactly a fair bar, now is it?
I’ve written about the puzzle of Haley Cass at length on my blog, so I’ll try not to belabor the point here.
What I will say is that Between the Lines definitely reminded me why I avoid academic romance. I found more than one plot point simply not believable, starting with a new hire showing up and not recognizing the only other professor in her department in her subfield, and extending to a whole bunch of hullabaloo about who gets to be chair that isn’t technically impossible but just didn’t feel like how any of that would go. That said, I can’t help but imagine that a city manager might feel similarly about In the Long Run, a divorce lawyer about When You Least Expect it, or a TV Journalist about On the Same Page. I loved all those novels, and any imprecision about professional trajectories was no skin off my back, there.
What I’ll also say is that Haley Cass has become my ultimate comfort read for a reason. Her novels are just so lovely, so alive—even when they’re contrived, even when there’s a straight-man villain so dastardly he might as well be twirling a waxed mustache while he drowns kittens, even, even, even—who cares!
I thought Cass’s last novel, The Whole Truth, was one of her best, and if you’re new round these parts, I might recommend starting there. Then again, I’m not sure I’m a fair judge of Between the Lines, which isn’t just about academia, but about the academic job market no less. If I’d wanted to shiver I’d have read a horror novel. Still, I didn’t exactly have to force myself to finish it. What can I say, Haley Cass is just special—and so is Between the Lines.
August 1, 2026
Perfect. PERFECT. That’s the first word that came into my mind as I finished the book. Perfect charcters, perfect plot, perfect story, perfect ending. Everything was perfect. And if I could give it more than 5 stars i definitely would…
This book has everyone you need for it to be perfectly enjoyable and entertaining! A workplace romance, great banter and very fun. Colleague with benefits to lovers, enough spice for a steamy romance, age gap and opposites attract. And it being a sapphic romance with an insane chemistry between the characters. What more could you ask…
The characters…I don’t even know where to begin, because Whitney and Alyssa where such deep and beautiful characters, so well developed, and you can’t help but root for them until the very end. While they are very opposite to each other, and very different, they’re also driven by one common thing: their passion for teaching and their love for books.
Alyssa was such a sunshine, positive, brilliant and funny person. While Whitney is really the “don’t judge by the covers” type of characters. You think she’s a grumpy, very direct, intimidating and stoic person, when in fact, she’s a very strong woman, very smart and very warm to people who matters. And how I hated her ex husband omg….such an asshole, but also you can see how easy it was for the others teachers to take one side without even considering another point of view until Alyssa.
I loved that Whitney and Alyssa relationship was a slow burn (expect for the benefits part HAHAHAH) but they really had such a good chemistry, they got to know each other slowly, and slowly let themself be part of each other life. They also had a very good communication with each other since the start, which is something I deeply appreciated.
And the ending ? Loved it. It was something you knew was coming of course, but it’s great to be sure.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
This book has everyone you need for it to be perfectly enjoyable and entertaining! A workplace romance, great banter and very fun. Colleague with benefits to lovers, enough spice for a steamy romance, age gap and opposites attract. And it being a sapphic romance with an insane chemistry between the characters. What more could you ask…
The characters…I don’t even know where to begin, because Whitney and Alyssa where such deep and beautiful characters, so well developed, and you can’t help but root for them until the very end. While they are very opposite to each other, and very different, they’re also driven by one common thing: their passion for teaching and their love for books.
Alyssa was such a sunshine, positive, brilliant and funny person. While Whitney is really the “don’t judge by the covers” type of characters. You think she’s a grumpy, very direct, intimidating and stoic person, when in fact, she’s a very strong woman, very smart and very warm to people who matters. And how I hated her ex husband omg….such an asshole, but also you can see how easy it was for the others teachers to take one side without even considering another point of view until Alyssa.
I loved that Whitney and Alyssa relationship was a slow burn (expect for the benefits part HAHAHAH) but they really had such a good chemistry, they got to know each other slowly, and slowly let themself be part of each other life. They also had a very good communication with each other since the start, which is something I deeply appreciated.
And the ending ? Loved it. It was something you knew was coming of course, but it’s great to be sure.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 ⭐
Honestly, I don't think I've ever gone into a Haley Cass book with such mixed feelings.
She's one of the authors who introduced me to sapphic fiction, and several of her books remain all-time favorites. Naturally, my expectations for Between the Lines were through the roof. At the same time, my struggle to fully connect with The Whole Truth left me a little wary that this one might not land perfectly either.
Unfortunately, that proved to be the case.
Don't get me wrong. I still enjoyed the book. It just didn't capture my heart the way Haley's stories usually do.
What never wavered was my love for Alyssa. She was pure sunshine. I adored her passion for teaching and how deeply involved she was with her students. Her grief over losing her brother Bodhi was portrayed with such tenderness, and I appreciated how the story explored the lasting ripples of his absence. Even after having her heart broken, she refused to grow cynical. Instead, she stayed open, vulnerable, and brave enough to try again, which made her incredibly easy to root for.
Whitney, on the other hand, was a much more complicated character for me. I completely understood why she had built so many walls around herself after everything she endured during her marriage, and the more I learned about her past, the more I sympathized with her. One of my favorite parts of her journey was watching her slowly rediscover the version of herself she'd buried beneath years of judgment and self-protection. Seeing her slowly reclaim those parts of herself made her healing journey incredibly satisfying to follow.
Even so, I always felt there was a slight emotional distance between Whitney and me as a reader. She always seemed to keep a small part of herself tucked away, and while that made perfect sense given her history, it prevented me from bonding with her the same way I did with Alyssa. That distance, more than anything else, kept me from becoming completely absorbed in their relationship.
I also couldn't help feeling like I'd met versions of Alyssa and Whitney before. They reminded me quite a bit of some of Haley's previous MCs, so I kept hoping for something that would make them feel a little more unique.
The romance itself surprised me in a different way. Haley is a master of slow burns, but this one shifts the focus. It is a one-night-to-forever story where the real slow burn is emotional rather than physical. Their relationship progresses faster than I expected, which is not inherently bad, just noticeably different from her usual style. Still, the banter was fantastic. Their teasing, competitiveness, and flirtation made every scene between them lively and full of chemistry.
What ultimately kept me from connecting as deeply as I wanted was the imbalance in their emotional journeys. Alyssa wore her heart on her sleeve, while Whitney's feelings remained quieter and more reserved. I never doubted Whitney loved Alyssa, but I felt Alyssa's emotions with far more intensity. Because of that, I never became as invested in their relationship as I'd hoped.
Beyond the romance, I also found myself less immersed in the overall story than I expected. Many of the plot developments felt predictable, and while I was satisfied with the ending, I never experienced those soaring emotional highs I have come to expect from Haley's work. And honestly... that was probably my biggest disappointment.
Overall, Between the Lines is a heartfelt romance about healing, rediscovering yourself after heartbreak, learning to trust again, and finding the courage to let someone in when love feels impossible. Even if this wasn't my favorite Haley Cass novel, I still think there's plenty here to love, and I have no doubt many readers will connect with these characters far more than I did.
I'll definitely keep reading whatever Haley writes next because one book that doesn't completely work for me could never erase everything I've loved about her stories over the years.
Big warm thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC. I feel very lucky to have had the chance to read it so early!
Honestly, I don't think I've ever gone into a Haley Cass book with such mixed feelings.
She's one of the authors who introduced me to sapphic fiction, and several of her books remain all-time favorites. Naturally, my expectations for Between the Lines were through the roof. At the same time, my struggle to fully connect with The Whole Truth left me a little wary that this one might not land perfectly either.
Unfortunately, that proved to be the case.
Don't get me wrong. I still enjoyed the book. It just didn't capture my heart the way Haley's stories usually do.
What never wavered was my love for Alyssa. She was pure sunshine. I adored her passion for teaching and how deeply involved she was with her students. Her grief over losing her brother Bodhi was portrayed with such tenderness, and I appreciated how the story explored the lasting ripples of his absence. Even after having her heart broken, she refused to grow cynical. Instead, she stayed open, vulnerable, and brave enough to try again, which made her incredibly easy to root for.
Whitney, on the other hand, was a much more complicated character for me. I completely understood why she had built so many walls around herself after everything she endured during her marriage, and the more I learned about her past, the more I sympathized with her. One of my favorite parts of her journey was watching her slowly rediscover the version of herself she'd buried beneath years of judgment and self-protection. Seeing her slowly reclaim those parts of herself made her healing journey incredibly satisfying to follow.
Even so, I always felt there was a slight emotional distance between Whitney and me as a reader. She always seemed to keep a small part of herself tucked away, and while that made perfect sense given her history, it prevented me from bonding with her the same way I did with Alyssa. That distance, more than anything else, kept me from becoming completely absorbed in their relationship.
I also couldn't help feeling like I'd met versions of Alyssa and Whitney before. They reminded me quite a bit of some of Haley's previous MCs, so I kept hoping for something that would make them feel a little more unique.
The romance itself surprised me in a different way. Haley is a master of slow burns, but this one shifts the focus. It is a one-night-to-forever story where the real slow burn is emotional rather than physical. Their relationship progresses faster than I expected, which is not inherently bad, just noticeably different from her usual style. Still, the banter was fantastic. Their teasing, competitiveness, and flirtation made every scene between them lively and full of chemistry.
What ultimately kept me from connecting as deeply as I wanted was the imbalance in their emotional journeys. Alyssa wore her heart on her sleeve, while Whitney's feelings remained quieter and more reserved. I never doubted Whitney loved Alyssa, but I felt Alyssa's emotions with far more intensity. Because of that, I never became as invested in their relationship as I'd hoped.
Beyond the romance, I also found myself less immersed in the overall story than I expected. Many of the plot developments felt predictable, and while I was satisfied with the ending, I never experienced those soaring emotional highs I have come to expect from Haley's work. And honestly... that was probably my biggest disappointment.
Overall, Between the Lines is a heartfelt romance about healing, rediscovering yourself after heartbreak, learning to trust again, and finding the courage to let someone in when love feels impossible. Even if this wasn't my favorite Haley Cass novel, I still think there's plenty here to love, and I have no doubt many readers will connect with these characters far more than I did.
I'll definitely keep reading whatever Haley writes next because one book that doesn't completely work for me could never erase everything I've loved about her stories over the years.
Big warm thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC. I feel very lucky to have had the chance to read it so early!
September 1, 2026
Haley Cass is an automatic read author for me! She just writes such relatable characters. You can’t help but root for them and want their love story to be special! Between the Lines did not disappoint!
I actually have mad respect for Alyssa! She knew what she wanted for herself and her career, and she made it happen. I felt like her family and friends supported her, but at times, they also made her feel guilty for chasing her dreams. And the ex girlfriend broke up with her at the worst time imaginable. Literally, straight to jail!
I loved Alyssa and Whitney’s slow burn romance. It developed in a way that felt genuine and authentic. The moments of tension were so hot! I desperately wanted them to give in to each other!
Whitney had my heart! She’s such a strong woman. She dealt with so much garbage from her ex, but she always chose to be the bigger person. I completely understood her hesitance to start anything with Alyssa because of everything she went through with her ex. Those subtle moments of Whitney giving in to what she wanted meant so much! I really wanted her to finally have her HEA.
Everything about this story felt like real life concerns and situations. The ending made so much sense to me, and I loved it so much!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I actually have mad respect for Alyssa! She knew what she wanted for herself and her career, and she made it happen. I felt like her family and friends supported her, but at times, they also made her feel guilty for chasing her dreams. And the ex girlfriend broke up with her at the worst time imaginable. Literally, straight to jail!
I loved Alyssa and Whitney’s slow burn romance. It developed in a way that felt genuine and authentic. The moments of tension were so hot! I desperately wanted them to give in to each other!
Whitney had my heart! She’s such a strong woman. She dealt with so much garbage from her ex, but she always chose to be the bigger person. I completely understood her hesitance to start anything with Alyssa because of everything she went through with her ex. Those subtle moments of Whitney giving in to what she wanted meant so much! I really wanted her to finally have her HEA.
Everything about this story felt like real life concerns and situations. The ending made so much sense to me, and I loved it so much!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Wow, my first book by author, Haley Cass, is a big winner. It delivers everything promised in the synopsis and more. The chemistry and love between the main characters feels so real, that just makes for an over-the-top romance reading experience for me. I loved Whitney and Alyssa and the academic backdrop. Well, there’s so much to love here.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
HALEY CASS, the woman you are! I got approved for this ARC on Friday and then basically abandoned my entire family to read it in 2 days.
Haley Cass is the queen of sapphic contemporary romance. Her books are some of the very first I read when I came out in my mid 30s and her characters are ones I come back to over and over again. Haley Cass books are special, y'all.
Between the Lines is her first foray into traditional publishing (out February 2027 from Atria Books). I had an opportunity to read the first few chapters of a very early version of this book as a serial on Haley's Patreon (the best $10 I spend every month; I would sooner cancel Netflix) before she sold it and I fell in love with Whitney and Alyssa. I was SO thrilled for her, but I hoped that a trad-pub deal would not over-edit what Haley Cass is known for: yearning at its absolute finest (like Atria editors: we WANT the yearning!). I needn't have been worried because this book was SO excellent and my love for Whitney and Alyssa only grew!
This book has alllll my favorite romance moments, but its also just a love letter to nerds who read a lot.
Congratulations, Miss Cass on your trad pub debut. It is so well deserved! This will not be theast time I talk about this book; I plan to incorporate it in my day to day conversation until its release!
#haleycass #betweenlines #eARC #atria
Haley Cass is the queen of sapphic contemporary romance. Her books are some of the very first I read when I came out in my mid 30s and her characters are ones I come back to over and over again. Haley Cass books are special, y'all.
Between the Lines is her first foray into traditional publishing (out February 2027 from Atria Books). I had an opportunity to read the first few chapters of a very early version of this book as a serial on Haley's Patreon (the best $10 I spend every month; I would sooner cancel Netflix) before she sold it and I fell in love with Whitney and Alyssa. I was SO thrilled for her, but I hoped that a trad-pub deal would not over-edit what Haley Cass is known for: yearning at its absolute finest (like Atria editors: we WANT the yearning!). I needn't have been worried because this book was SO excellent and my love for Whitney and Alyssa only grew!
This book has alllll my favorite romance moments, but its also just a love letter to nerds who read a lot.
Congratulations, Miss Cass on your trad pub debut. It is so well deserved! This will not be theast time I talk about this book; I plan to incorporate it in my day to day conversation until its release!
#haleycass #betweenlines #eARC #atria
July 28, 2026
I love Haley Cass and everything she writes, and this book is no exception. There is nobody that does banter quite like her. This book checks a lot of trope boxes: academia/workplace romance, one night stand, ice queen, grumpy/sunshine (literally) — you name it. But somehow it succeeds in doing all of the tropes justice!
My one little complaint, if I may, is that this book follows a very similar Haley Cass recipe: a sort of power imbalance that restricts the two protagonists from being together, but their love is all worth it in the end. We saw it with Charlotte & Sutton, we saw it with Juliet & Darcy, and now with Whitney & Alyssa. And listen, don’t get me wrong, I eat it UP. But it is a pattern I noticed.
Anyway, it’s a well deserved 5 star read, and I’m so thrilled that we will see this book sold in stores! Haley Cass is so deserving of that recognition!
Thanks NetGalley & the publishers for the ARC! :)
My one little complaint, if I may, is that this book follows a very similar Haley Cass recipe: a sort of power imbalance that restricts the two protagonists from being together, but their love is all worth it in the end. We saw it with Charlotte & Sutton, we saw it with Juliet & Darcy, and now with Whitney & Alyssa. And listen, don’t get me wrong, I eat it UP. But it is a pattern I noticed.
Anyway, it’s a well deserved 5 star read, and I’m so thrilled that we will see this book sold in stores! Haley Cass is so deserving of that recognition!
Thanks NetGalley & the publishers for the ARC! :)
October 22, 2026
Review of an Advanced Copy Received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Haley Cass for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There are no words to describe how happy I was when my request was approved. Haley Cass is my favorite F/F author, so I knew Between the Lines wouldn’t disappoint. A workplace romance, an age gap, and two women who couldn’t be more different.
If there’s one thing I love about Haley’s books, it’s how everyday life becomes the catalyst for her characters to fall in love, and how communication proves that romance novels can be written without resorting to misunderstandings (a personal pet peeve of mine) to create conflict. It makes the reading experience so much more enjoyable because you genuinely feel like you’re watching two people fall in love in exactly the way it would happen in real life. In this case, the misunderstandings involving the side characters are actually rooted in a common social ill: gossip and biased narratives. Although these things affect the protagonists, they don’t influence their relationship. Instead, they highlight the communication that develops between them as a result.
In this story, we meet Alyssa, who is truly a ray of sunshine, just as her first name suggests, and Whitney, who could be described as an ice queen until you get to know her better. Their dynamic was hot, funny, cozy, and respectful! We get to watch them fall in love gradually, drawn to each other’s opposite personalities. Without a doubt, they both earn a spot on the podium of my favorite couples in the Cass universe.
It’s incredible how Haley manages to write couples you become so hopelessly invested in. It’s the kind of romance that makes you kick your feet and giggle in bed while reading. On top of that, she has the ability to make a book of over 450 pages feel short.
I genuinely hope we get a novella featuring these two in the future because what we got simply wasn’t enough.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Haley Cass for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There are no words to describe how happy I was when my request was approved. Haley Cass is my favorite F/F author, so I knew Between the Lines wouldn’t disappoint. A workplace romance, an age gap, and two women who couldn’t be more different.
If there’s one thing I love about Haley’s books, it’s how everyday life becomes the catalyst for her characters to fall in love, and how communication proves that romance novels can be written without resorting to misunderstandings (a personal pet peeve of mine) to create conflict. It makes the reading experience so much more enjoyable because you genuinely feel like you’re watching two people fall in love in exactly the way it would happen in real life. In this case, the misunderstandings involving the side characters are actually rooted in a common social ill: gossip and biased narratives. Although these things affect the protagonists, they don’t influence their relationship. Instead, they highlight the communication that develops between them as a result.
In this story, we meet Alyssa, who is truly a ray of sunshine, just as her first name suggests, and Whitney, who could be described as an ice queen until you get to know her better. Their dynamic was hot, funny, cozy, and respectful! We get to watch them fall in love gradually, drawn to each other’s opposite personalities. Without a doubt, they both earn a spot on the podium of my favorite couples in the Cass universe.
It’s incredible how Haley manages to write couples you become so hopelessly invested in. It’s the kind of romance that makes you kick your feet and giggle in bed while reading. On top of that, she has the ability to make a book of over 450 pages feel short.
I genuinely hope we get a novella featuring these two in the future because what we got simply wasn’t enough.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed Those Who Wait, as did seemingly most of the sapphic reading community, but I haven’t connected with another Haley Cass book in quite the same way since. Thankfully, I loved this one.
Between the Lines had many of the same qualities I enjoyed in Those Who Wait, but with characters I found even more relatable. Alyssa is genuinely a ray of sunshine, while Whitney is much more private and guarded after finally ending a difficult marriage. I loved their ice queen/sunshine dynamic, but neither character felt reduced to those roles. They were both complex, vulnerable and very well developed.
Their relationship also unfolded naturally. There was plenty of banter, chemistry and heat, but the emotional connection was what really worked for me. Alyssa could see through Whitney’s walls without trying to force them down, while Whitney’s growth across the book felt believable. Even her difficulty communicating, which would usually frustrate me, made sense within her character and what she had experienced.
At more than 450 pages, this is quite long for a contemporary romance, but I didn’t mind the length. It gave me time to become properly invested in both women, their individual journeys and the relationship developing between them.
This felt like the Haley Cass book I had been waiting for since Those Who Wait. Different enough to stand on its own, but with the same depth, romance and beautifully drawn characters that made that book so memorable.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Between the Lines had many of the same qualities I enjoyed in Those Who Wait, but with characters I found even more relatable. Alyssa is genuinely a ray of sunshine, while Whitney is much more private and guarded after finally ending a difficult marriage. I loved their ice queen/sunshine dynamic, but neither character felt reduced to those roles. They were both complex, vulnerable and very well developed.
Their relationship also unfolded naturally. There was plenty of banter, chemistry and heat, but the emotional connection was what really worked for me. Alyssa could see through Whitney’s walls without trying to force them down, while Whitney’s growth across the book felt believable. Even her difficulty communicating, which would usually frustrate me, made sense within her character and what she had experienced.
At more than 450 pages, this is quite long for a contemporary romance, but I didn’t mind the length. It gave me time to become properly invested in both women, their individual journeys and the relationship developing between them.
This felt like the Haley Cass book I had been waiting for since Those Who Wait. Different enough to stand on its own, but with the same depth, romance and beautifully drawn characters that made that book so memorable.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Between the Lines strikes a delicate balance between its lighthearted moments and its more emotional ones, moving between the two with surprising ease. Perfectly encapsulating the Sunshine x Grumpy trope, it understands that nonchalance and genuine concern can coexist without letting aloofness consume a character’s entire personality.
The tension between Alyssa and Whitney’s self-restraint and the pull of their attraction was so magnetic that even as someone who is rarely drawn in by one-night-stand premises, I had no choice but to be sucked into the story’s orbit. Their playful banter was the cherry on top of everything, with their completely opposite senses of humor somehow complementing each other effortlessly.
Above all else, the most pleasant surprise to me was the way Whitney’s story slowly unraveled. Each reveal felt carefully placed, withholding just enough of the truth to let the tension build until the pieces finally fell into place with a weight that made the wait entirely worth it. If there’s one thing that will always resonate with me, it’s a character who remains kind and steadfast despite having every valid reason to become the villain of the story. Rather than having Alyssa be the one to break through the walls Whitney had built around herself, Whitney’s choice to take them down became a beautiful reflection of her development, with Alyssa serving as the catalyst that set it all in motion.
However, this is not to say that Between the Lines was perfect. The repetitiveness of specific phrases became too noticeable at some point, especially when there were plenty of other ways to describe the same things. Some minor characters also seemed half-baked, which let me down a bit because the length of the story left so much room to explore them further. Although we do get snippets of their individual lives, they often felt more like details meant to distinguish one character from another rather than actually giving us a deeper sense of who they were as people. Especially when compared to Alyssa and Whitney, who felt much more fleshed out, the others seemed a bit lacking and fell flat at times — particularly Sydney, whose relevance to the story made me expect her to have a greater impact on the plot, much like Stephen did.
There’s always something to love about a romance that can remain lighthearted without sacrificing the emotional depth of its characters. Between the Lines proves that softness does not have to come at the expense of substance, and as my first book by Haley Cass, it has made a compelling impression that left me wanting to explore the rest of her work.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The tension between Alyssa and Whitney’s self-restraint and the pull of their attraction was so magnetic that even as someone who is rarely drawn in by one-night-stand premises, I had no choice but to be sucked into the story’s orbit. Their playful banter was the cherry on top of everything, with their completely opposite senses of humor somehow complementing each other effortlessly.
Above all else, the most pleasant surprise to me was the way Whitney’s story slowly unraveled. Each reveal felt carefully placed, withholding just enough of the truth to let the tension build until the pieces finally fell into place with a weight that made the wait entirely worth it. If there’s one thing that will always resonate with me, it’s a character who remains kind and steadfast despite having every valid reason to become the villain of the story. Rather than having Alyssa be the one to break through the walls Whitney had built around herself, Whitney’s choice to take them down became a beautiful reflection of her development, with Alyssa serving as the catalyst that set it all in motion.
However, this is not to say that Between the Lines was perfect. The repetitiveness of specific phrases became too noticeable at some point, especially when there were plenty of other ways to describe the same things. Some minor characters also seemed half-baked, which let me down a bit because the length of the story left so much room to explore them further. Although we do get snippets of their individual lives, they often felt more like details meant to distinguish one character from another rather than actually giving us a deeper sense of who they were as people. Especially when compared to Alyssa and Whitney, who felt much more fleshed out, the others seemed a bit lacking and fell flat at times — particularly Sydney, whose relevance to the story made me expect her to have a greater impact on the plot, much like Stephen did.
There’s always something to love about a romance that can remain lighthearted without sacrificing the emotional depth of its characters. Between the Lines proves that softness does not have to come at the expense of substance, and as my first book by Haley Cass, it has made a compelling impression that left me wanting to explore the rest of her work.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Haley Cass you will ALWAYS be famous. RTC.
August 10, 2026
thank you atria books and netgalley for my very first arc!
i loved this book. i’m very skeptical about romance as a genre because i find most of the tropes either corny or agonizing to read (or too straight), so i’m happy to report that none of those things were an issue for me. whitney was infuriating in a way that was perfectly balanced by alyssa’s sunshine-y talkativeness, there was no conflict towards the end that made me want to gouge my eyes out, and i actually wanted to pick up the book. so it was easily a five star read. i will definitely be recommending!
i loved this book. i’m very skeptical about romance as a genre because i find most of the tropes either corny or agonizing to read (or too straight), so i’m happy to report that none of those things were an issue for me. whitney was infuriating in a way that was perfectly balanced by alyssa’s sunshine-y talkativeness, there was no conflict towards the end that made me want to gouge my eyes out, and i actually wanted to pick up the book. so it was easily a five star read. i will definitely be recommending!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I left writing this review too long after reading the book. That’s my bad, and now I won’t have as much detail as I want (I guess ill have to reread it sometime…. Oh nooooo….. lmao like I wouldn’t be doing that eventually anyways).
Short Review:
I liked it. It was similar to the authors other works so if you liked/disliked those then this will likely align with your expectations. I recommend reading.
A Bit More Detail:
I liked this book a lot! I liked the protagonists, both individually and together. I liked their banter and the dynamic and the way the author navigated the situations that were set up (which were also wonderful, full-stars). This felt like a real world full of real people and there was definitely a larger world than just two people slowly getting together. I found nothing to make any serious complaints about, and generally just enjoyed the entire reading experience.
On the flipside, I think this is my least favorite Haley Cass book? To be clear, I am a huge Haley Cass fan so this is a tough list to compete with! Like, someone has to be the least favorite puppy to cuddle with, right? This book just seemed to lack some of the spark that I usually find in a Cass novel that pushes it up to the next level. I wasn’t able to put my finger on what exactly what was different. Maybe there wasn’t the same kind of huge emotions that the other novels feature at some point? Something, something, spark, x-factor……IDK. If you are a Cass fan please read this and let me know what you think.
I will say that the conflict/plotline left a bit to be desired (this wasn’t the issue I don’t THINK) because it was actually relatively weak once you drill down to the core issue. It was realistic though and worked well enough.
Anyways, its still 5-stars and ill read 400 more novels as long as Cass writes them, so we are all good here.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
Short Review:
I liked it. It was similar to the authors other works so if you liked/disliked those then this will likely align with your expectations. I recommend reading.
A Bit More Detail:
I liked this book a lot! I liked the protagonists, both individually and together. I liked their banter and the dynamic and the way the author navigated the situations that were set up (which were also wonderful, full-stars). This felt like a real world full of real people and there was definitely a larger world than just two people slowly getting together. I found nothing to make any serious complaints about, and generally just enjoyed the entire reading experience.
On the flipside, I think this is my least favorite Haley Cass book? To be clear, I am a huge Haley Cass fan so this is a tough list to compete with! Like, someone has to be the least favorite puppy to cuddle with, right? This book just seemed to lack some of the spark that I usually find in a Cass novel that pushes it up to the next level. I wasn’t able to put my finger on what exactly what was different. Maybe there wasn’t the same kind of huge emotions that the other novels feature at some point? Something, something, spark, x-factor……IDK. If you are a Cass fan please read this and let me know what you think.
I will say that the conflict/plotline left a bit to be desired (this wasn’t the issue I don’t THINK) because it was actually relatively weak once you drill down to the core issue. It was realistic though and worked well enough.
Anyways, its still 5-stars and ill read 400 more novels as long as Cass writes them, so we are all good here.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
August 23, 2026
This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really love Haley Cass books and this was no exception. Rounding up from 4.5. I really enjoyed the two characters and the lighter hand at the ice queen trope. I appreciated that Alyssa was fully autonomous and in charge of her experience with Whitney. She didn’t simply have Whitney steer their relationship, she was fully involved and called out the bs when she saw it. I stayed up past 1am to finish this book because I was really enjoying it. Also, as usual, the steamy scenes were so well done!
Excited that I can finally recommend a Haley Cass to my local romance book store!
I really love Haley Cass books and this was no exception. Rounding up from 4.5. I really enjoyed the two characters and the lighter hand at the ice queen trope. I appreciated that Alyssa was fully autonomous and in charge of her experience with Whitney. She didn’t simply have Whitney steer their relationship, she was fully involved and called out the bs when she saw it. I stayed up past 1am to finish this book because I was really enjoying it. Also, as usual, the steamy scenes were so well done!
Excited that I can finally recommend a Haley Cass to my local romance book store!
August 13, 2026
5⭐️
3 🔥
ARC REVIEW
Between the Lines
OUT: 2/16/27
WELL THIS MIGHT AS WELL BE A HALEY CASS STAN ACCOUNT. I know I’m not alone in this, but MY GOD — she is, without a shadow of a doubt, my favorite author of all time.
Between the Lines was full of complex emotions, competitive personalities, and chemistry that would make any scientist jealous! It’s no secret I love the ‘misunderstood ice queen’ and Whitney was absolutely perfect. Meanwhile, Alyssa (literal Sunshine) was the exact type of balance that would melt our dear ice queen into a giant puddle!
The level of open communication between Alyssa and Whitney made this so much more of an enjoyable read. Their banter, and playful competitiveness was all apart of the buildup — with an explosive relationship from the first interaction to the last!
All I have left to say is that HALEY CASS will NEVER miss! If she writes it, I’m reading it. What a treat to be given an ARC of this one, and being able to read 2 new HC books within the last couple months was incredible!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
3 🔥
ARC REVIEW
Between the Lines
OUT: 2/16/27
WELL THIS MIGHT AS WELL BE A HALEY CASS STAN ACCOUNT. I know I’m not alone in this, but MY GOD — she is, without a shadow of a doubt, my favorite author of all time.
Between the Lines was full of complex emotions, competitive personalities, and chemistry that would make any scientist jealous! It’s no secret I love the ‘misunderstood ice queen’ and Whitney was absolutely perfect. Meanwhile, Alyssa (literal Sunshine) was the exact type of balance that would melt our dear ice queen into a giant puddle!
The level of open communication between Alyssa and Whitney made this so much more of an enjoyable read. Their banter, and playful competitiveness was all apart of the buildup — with an explosive relationship from the first interaction to the last!
All I have left to say is that HALEY CASS will NEVER miss! If she writes it, I’m reading it. What a treat to be given an ARC of this one, and being able to read 2 new HC books within the last couple months was incredible!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 22, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for this arc in exchange for a honest review
4/5 ⭐️
So this begins with a breakup and ends with a… Well, you’ll just have to wait to figure it out I suppose. I really enjoyed this. I’m starting to like the academic workplace romance thanks to this author. Grumpy ex sunshine is a good trope as well. I enjoy these characters and I liked watching the mature and learn to cooperate with each other and maybe even love each other.
4/5 ⭐️
So this begins with a breakup and ends with a… Well, you’ll just have to wait to figure it out I suppose. I really enjoyed this. I’m starting to like the academic workplace romance thanks to this author. Grumpy ex sunshine is a good trope as well. I enjoy these characters and I liked watching the mature and learn to cooperate with each other and maybe even love each other.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There's nothing like a Sapphic romance to pick my soul up!
Thank you to Atria and Netgalley for the e-arc!
This was my first book by Haley Cass and it most definitely will not be the last because this is the kind of sapphic literature I love to read about.
Alyssa Burke has been hired as an interim professor at a small town university and has just experienced a break up with her long time friend now ex-girlfriend with nothing to lose Alyssa decides to make the best out of her circumstances despite the rough start.
Whitney is now freshly divorced from a marriage that tainted her reputation at her university, with no interest in jumping into another serious relationship. Whitney is looking for a fresh start. And what better way to start than having a one night stand with a bubbly attractive lesbian?
Whitney and Alyssa find out that they both have more in common than it seems. They both love Shakespeare, work at the same university, and feel very lonely. This flames a start to their very complicated sapphic situationship, they can't resist themselves despite the risks.
God, I love the chaos of some dramatic sapphics who can't keep their hands off each other. This book had a very enjoyable plot and cast of characters. I found myself hooked from page one and I simply couldn't put it down!
God bless the Sapphics and Haley Cass.
Thank you to Atria and Netgalley for the e-arc!
This was my first book by Haley Cass and it most definitely will not be the last because this is the kind of sapphic literature I love to read about.
Alyssa Burke has been hired as an interim professor at a small town university and has just experienced a break up with her long time friend now ex-girlfriend with nothing to lose Alyssa decides to make the best out of her circumstances despite the rough start.
Whitney is now freshly divorced from a marriage that tainted her reputation at her university, with no interest in jumping into another serious relationship. Whitney is looking for a fresh start. And what better way to start than having a one night stand with a bubbly attractive lesbian?
Whitney and Alyssa find out that they both have more in common than it seems. They both love Shakespeare, work at the same university, and feel very lonely. This flames a start to their very complicated sapphic situationship, they can't resist themselves despite the risks.
God, I love the chaos of some dramatic sapphics who can't keep their hands off each other. This book had a very enjoyable plot and cast of characters. I found myself hooked from page one and I simply couldn't put it down!
God bless the Sapphics and Haley Cass.
August 13, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
This was my first Haley Cass book and I enjoyed it! Sapphic, grumpy x sunshine, academia - I’ll eat it up every time. I found Alyssa very endearing because she was a realistic level of sunshine where she allowed herself to feel other emotions rather than constantly hiding behind happiness. And Whitney was a pretty great grump. I adored their (somewhat) slow burn romance and the support they provided each other. That being said, I do feel like this book was a little too long. It became repetitive after a while and some of the actions (rolling lips and humming) showed up way too often. There were sections that I was hoping to get more from, like when Claire visited, but it was glossed over while other parts were just rehashed. A good read overall though! Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read this ARC!
This was my first Haley Cass book and I enjoyed it! Sapphic, grumpy x sunshine, academia - I’ll eat it up every time. I found Alyssa very endearing because she was a realistic level of sunshine where she allowed herself to feel other emotions rather than constantly hiding behind happiness. And Whitney was a pretty great grump. I adored their (somewhat) slow burn romance and the support they provided each other. That being said, I do feel like this book was a little too long. It became repetitive after a while and some of the actions (rolling lips and humming) showed up way too often. There were sections that I was hoping to get more from, like when Claire visited, but it was glossed over while other parts were just rehashed. A good read overall though! Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Top-Tier Academic Rom-Com and an Instant Comfort Reread!
Haley Cass is an absolute heavyweight in the sapphic romance space, and Between the Lines proves exactly why. If you are looking for an effortlessly fun, quick-witted rom-com with phenomenal chemistry, this is guaranteed to be your next obsession.
The book gives us a flawless execution of the "one-night-stand-to-forever" trope, set against a delightfully messy academic backdrop. We follow Alyssa, a funny and incredibly sincere interim professor, who accidentally throws a massive wrench into the carefully maintained walls of Whitney, the stoic and guarded department head. Throw in a classic workplace power imbalance, some forced proximity, and the looming shadow of an ex-husband who has completely poisoned the faculty well, and you have the perfect recipe for tension.
Highlights of the book:
Top-Tier Banter: The road trip scene featuring a competitive bet over a thriller audiobook twist is an absolute standout that brilliantly shatters their professional boundaries.
The Queen of Spice: Cass firmly cements her title here. The "open door" scenes are not only fantastic, but they serve a massive emotional purpose. For a character as heavily guarded as Whitney, physical intimacy becomes the ultimate space for vulnerability—the one place she finally allows herself to be truly "seen."
The "Wrench" Dynamic: Alyssa is a phenomenal protagonist. Watching her try to reconcile her friendly colleagues with their blind acceptance of workplace gossip adds a fantastic, grounded layer to the academic drama.
A quick note on tone: The book does touch on some incredibly heavy subjects, including the loss of a sibling and deliberate career sabotage. However, it doesn't wallow in heavy, devastating grief. These elements function more as plot drivers rather than deep emotional explorations, which brilliantly keeps the book light, highly readable, and firmly anchored in its fun rom-com roots.
Between the Lines doesn't try to reinvent the wheel—it just executes the genre flawlessly. It is exactly the kind of reliable favorite you will return to time and time again just for the "happy soft feelings" it gives you. I predict this is going to be a massive commercial hit, and I am so incredibly excited that this one will be hitting physical bookstore shelves!
A huge thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
Haley Cass is an absolute heavyweight in the sapphic romance space, and Between the Lines proves exactly why. If you are looking for an effortlessly fun, quick-witted rom-com with phenomenal chemistry, this is guaranteed to be your next obsession.
The book gives us a flawless execution of the "one-night-stand-to-forever" trope, set against a delightfully messy academic backdrop. We follow Alyssa, a funny and incredibly sincere interim professor, who accidentally throws a massive wrench into the carefully maintained walls of Whitney, the stoic and guarded department head. Throw in a classic workplace power imbalance, some forced proximity, and the looming shadow of an ex-husband who has completely poisoned the faculty well, and you have the perfect recipe for tension.
Highlights of the book:
Top-Tier Banter: The road trip scene featuring a competitive bet over a thriller audiobook twist is an absolute standout that brilliantly shatters their professional boundaries.
The Queen of Spice: Cass firmly cements her title here. The "open door" scenes are not only fantastic, but they serve a massive emotional purpose. For a character as heavily guarded as Whitney, physical intimacy becomes the ultimate space for vulnerability—the one place she finally allows herself to be truly "seen."
The "Wrench" Dynamic: Alyssa is a phenomenal protagonist. Watching her try to reconcile her friendly colleagues with their blind acceptance of workplace gossip adds a fantastic, grounded layer to the academic drama.
A quick note on tone: The book does touch on some incredibly heavy subjects, including the loss of a sibling and deliberate career sabotage. However, it doesn't wallow in heavy, devastating grief. These elements function more as plot drivers rather than deep emotional explorations, which brilliantly keeps the book light, highly readable, and firmly anchored in its fun rom-com roots.
Between the Lines doesn't try to reinvent the wheel—it just executes the genre flawlessly. It is exactly the kind of reliable favorite you will return to time and time again just for the "happy soft feelings" it gives you. I predict this is going to be a massive commercial hit, and I am so incredibly excited that this one will be hitting physical bookstore shelves!
A huge thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
August 30, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5
Read if you like: sapphic romance, characters who truly see each other, intellectual chemistry, competitive banter, emotionally mature relationships, and spice that feels like an extension of the characters
Review:
If Haley Cass has zero fans, I must have left this world. So it's safe to say I was incredibly excited to receive my first ARC of hers. With that said, this was not an obligatory five stars. Between the Lines earned every single one.
What I love most about Haley Cass as an author is that she shows rather than tells. Her characters are developed so thoroughly that the smallest interactions tell us something about who they are and, more importantly, who they are becoming because of each other.
When Whitney publicly displays affection for Alyssa, for example, it's not simply about them being out as a couple, nor is it just about Whitney craving Alyssa. It feels like Whitney, for the first time in a long time, is embracing a version of herself that she missed, and maybe never had the chance to fully realize until now.
The same is true when Alyssa is constantly semi-interrupting Whitney. In the hands of less-developed characters, that dynamic could easily become annoying, especially with someone as strong-willed as Whitney. Instead, it becomes another way they play their competitive edges and love of language against and with each other. Cass doesn't need to tell us these two understand each other. We see it in the way they interact.
I also loved that the conflicts never became so dramatic that they created artificial hurdles for Whitney and Alyssa finding their way to each other. Their love story simply evolves as they learn more about each other and, through that relationship, more about themselves. There wasn't a moment where I was waiting for the inevitable unnecessary misunderstanding or wondering why two adults couldn't just communicate. The relationship itself gets to be the story.
And the spice? Cass writes intimacy the same way she writes everything else between these two: as character development. Their chemistry is undeniable, but the spicy scenes also reveal parts of Whitney and Alyssa that we don't get to see anywhere else. Nothing felt thrown in simply for the sake of making the book hotter. It deepened my understanding of their relationship while still being very, very effective at making the book hotter.
Another banner read by Cass. I fear this will be sitting on my annual reads shelf from here on out.
Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read if you like: sapphic romance, characters who truly see each other, intellectual chemistry, competitive banter, emotionally mature relationships, and spice that feels like an extension of the characters
Review:
If Haley Cass has zero fans, I must have left this world. So it's safe to say I was incredibly excited to receive my first ARC of hers. With that said, this was not an obligatory five stars. Between the Lines earned every single one.
What I love most about Haley Cass as an author is that she shows rather than tells. Her characters are developed so thoroughly that the smallest interactions tell us something about who they are and, more importantly, who they are becoming because of each other.
When Whitney publicly displays affection for Alyssa, for example, it's not simply about them being out as a couple, nor is it just about Whitney craving Alyssa. It feels like Whitney, for the first time in a long time, is embracing a version of herself that she missed, and maybe never had the chance to fully realize until now.
The same is true when Alyssa is constantly semi-interrupting Whitney. In the hands of less-developed characters, that dynamic could easily become annoying, especially with someone as strong-willed as Whitney. Instead, it becomes another way they play their competitive edges and love of language against and with each other. Cass doesn't need to tell us these two understand each other. We see it in the way they interact.
I also loved that the conflicts never became so dramatic that they created artificial hurdles for Whitney and Alyssa finding their way to each other. Their love story simply evolves as they learn more about each other and, through that relationship, more about themselves. There wasn't a moment where I was waiting for the inevitable unnecessary misunderstanding or wondering why two adults couldn't just communicate. The relationship itself gets to be the story.
And the spice? Cass writes intimacy the same way she writes everything else between these two: as character development. Their chemistry is undeniable, but the spicy scenes also reveal parts of Whitney and Alyssa that we don't get to see anywhere else. Nothing felt thrown in simply for the sake of making the book hotter. It deepened my understanding of their relationship while still being very, very effective at making the book hotter.
Another banner read by Cass. I fear this will be sitting on my annual reads shelf from here on out.
Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
4.5
I really enjoyed this book! This was my first Haley Cass book and I will definitely be reading the rest of her backlist!
I loved the characters, the academic setting, and the romance. The story felt very realistic, which made me love it even more. I was attached to both Whitney and Alyssa and I was rooting for them the whole time.
This book had some of my favorite tropes which made it even more enjoyable. Overall, I had such a good time reading this!
4.5
I really enjoyed this book! This was my first Haley Cass book and I will definitely be reading the rest of her backlist!
I loved the characters, the academic setting, and the romance. The story felt very realistic, which made me love it even more. I was attached to both Whitney and Alyssa and I was rooting for them the whole time.
This book had some of my favorite tropes which made it even more enjoyable. Overall, I had such a good time reading this!
September 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read an advanced copy of Between the Lines. If you’re looking for a new sapphic workplace romance, this book is for you! I found myself very invested in Alyssa and Whitney’s opposites attract relationship dynamic.
One general critique I have is that I really don’t think romance books need to be longer than 350 pages (maaaybe 400). I think that when you read a longer romance book, you’ll inevitably feel like it’s dragging, especially at the end 🫠 This novel was kind of throwing a lot of small conflicts at the characters towards the end, which can feel chaotic. I’d say Between the Lines is worth the read!
One general critique I have is that I really don’t think romance books need to be longer than 350 pages (maaaybe 400). I think that when you read a longer romance book, you’ll inevitably feel like it’s dragging, especially at the end 🫠 This novel was kind of throwing a lot of small conflicts at the characters towards the end, which can feel chaotic. I’d say Between the Lines is worth the read!
September 9, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you so much for an ARC of Between The Lines by Haley Cass. This was my first book by her and I really really enjoyed it!
We’re introduced to Alyssa who is starting a new job as a professor and hoping to get hired for the tenure track. Her and Whitney have a one nightstand after Whitney files for divorce from her shitty husband on Christmas Eve. Unbeknownst to them, Alyssa is replacing Whitney’s ex husbands position at the college where she also works.
This kicks off a tension fueled mentorship that alyssa uses to get closer to Whitney. I really liked their dynamic. They both were clearly fighting their attraction but eventually give in. Whitney has her surprising moments where she opens up and lets down her guard.
This is a great opposites attract and workplace romance. Haley did a fantastic job with building fleshed out characters that you want to just make it work.
If you love:
📚 bi x lesbian pairing
📚 workplace romance
📚 one night stand
📚 black cat FMC
Then make sure to preorder and read Between The Lines when it comes out! Thank you again!
Thank you so much for an ARC of Between The Lines by Haley Cass. This was my first book by her and I really really enjoyed it!
We’re introduced to Alyssa who is starting a new job as a professor and hoping to get hired for the tenure track. Her and Whitney have a one nightstand after Whitney files for divorce from her shitty husband on Christmas Eve. Unbeknownst to them, Alyssa is replacing Whitney’s ex husbands position at the college where she also works.
This kicks off a tension fueled mentorship that alyssa uses to get closer to Whitney. I really liked their dynamic. They both were clearly fighting their attraction but eventually give in. Whitney has her surprising moments where she opens up and lets down her guard.
This is a great opposites attract and workplace romance. Haley did a fantastic job with building fleshed out characters that you want to just make it work.
If you love:
📚 bi x lesbian pairing
📚 workplace romance
📚 one night stand
📚 black cat FMC
Then make sure to preorder and read Between The Lines when it comes out! Thank you again!
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